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Emily Kist

When the world went remote, we stayed connected.

At Nebraska, we believe in the power of every person. While the COVID-19 pandemic called for changes in the ways we engage in teaching and learning, one thing will never change – our focus on maintaining human connection and a sense of community.

Together, we are Nebraska Business.

Message from the Dean

As winter break and the holiday season approach, I look to the future with hope. The last nine months resembled a roller coaster ride with soaring highs, stomach lurching lows and many sharp turns and twists as we navigated a worldwide pandemic. Yet, I remain thankful for the resiliency and determination of our students, faculty and staff, and the patience and grace of our entire Nebraska Business community. I find further inspiration from your continued support.

This fall marked the third anniversary of Howard L. Hawks Hall, which brought the college together in one space in 2017. However, it was not until the COVID-19 pandemic was upon us that we realized the full impact of the building. Due to your generosity, when the world changed overnight, it was Hawks Hall and all that is inside of it which allowed us to remain together virtually, communicate often and transition quickly so we could continue to lead the future of business.

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UPLIFTING PANDEMIC STORIES

Rik Barrera

College Commits to Inclusive Excellence

The College of Business announced a long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion by pursuing inclusive excellence. Embracing diversity in all forms makes inclusion a top priority.

“We believe in the power of every person,” said Dean Kathy Farrell. “We accelerated the process of creating a Diversity and Inclusion strategic plan for our college to identify actions we can take to create real change.”

Rik Barerra was appointed to lead the college’s diversity and inclusion efforts on July 1. His experience in strengths-based leadership and management helps in his expanded role as associate dean of student services, inclusion and chief operating officer.

“This will require commitment and action from all of us. This is an endeavor where we have to be intentional, commit every day and lead by example,” Barrera said. “After all, if we aren’t inclusive, we fail to fulfill our mission of access and success for all.”

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FIVE FORMER HUSKER ATHLETES TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Kelsay Brothers Candice Dominguez Tyrell Ross Dominque Edwards

Chad (top) and Chris Kelsay made their presence known on and off the football field while studying finance at Nebraska.
Chad (top) and Chris Kelsay made their presence known on and off the football field while studying finance at Nebraska.

Kelsay Brothers Take Care of Business in Nebraska

Brothers Chad Kelsay, ’98, and Chris Kelsay, ’02, bookended one of the most successful eras of Nebraska football, capturing three conference championships and two national titles. The Auburn, Nebraska, natives both majored in finance at the College of Business and credit their parents for their work ethic.

“From an early age, our parents made it clear academics were more important than athletic endeavors,” Chad said. “The things that enabled us to have success in school and athletics growing up, such as time management, working hard and setting goals, were the same things that transferred to our college careers.”

Chad’s journey to Nebraska started when he performed well at Big Red Football Camp. After receiving a scholarship, Chad heard some doubted he would play as a Husker.

“My goals turned into not only making it at the Division I level, but to play right away,” said Chad, who also received an offer from Kansas State. “I was never the smartest, biggest, fastest or strongest guy, but I did try as hard as I could. I was fortunate to play as a true freshman on the 1995 national championship team.”

By graduation, Chad earned a second championship ring, the Native Son Award and First and Second Team Academic All-American honors. Chad called the academic and life skills staff a “tremendous resource” at Nebraska.

“Chad wanted to be part of the team, so he worked hard to be the best version of himself,” said Dennis LeBlanc, executive associate athletic director for academics. “He started the trend of coming to Nebraska in the summer to train. It was unheard of for a small-town kid to start as a freshman, and he accomplished it at a time when the Huskers were loaded with talent.”

Ten Nebraska players from that team continued their football careers in the NFL. Chad played two years for the Pittsburgh Steelers before a short stint with the St. Louis Rams. Read Full Story

Master’s Degree Leads to Super Bowl Ring
Candice Dominquez, '19, celebrates the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win.

Master’s Degree Leads to Super Bowl Ring

Although Candice Dominguez, ’19, competed in track and earned her master’s degree, her need to help others always superseded her desire to be in the limelight. Even so, she found herself on stage earning a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs while fulfilling her aspirations in player engagement.

“I worked as a Husker graduate assistant in equipment, but I wasn’t passionate about it,” said Dominguez, who high jumped at Nebraska.

While considering her options for her future, she decided to reach out to a Chiefs’ representative. “I asked for an interview and he told me to call. By the end of our first conversation, he wanted to see my résumé.”

Dominguez quickly advanced from a temporary intern to full-time player engagement coordinator. The new position allowed her to thrive.
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Former track student-athlete, Tyrell Ross, '10 and '18, now makes his mark on the university in a different way – as the college's director of finance and budget.
Former track student-athlete, Tyrell Ross, '10 and '18, now makes his mark on the university in a different way – as the college's director of finance and budget.

Family Connections Run Deep for Ross

Hailing from Mullica Hill, New Jersey, Tyrell Ross, ’10 and ’18, ventured halfway across the country to attend college due to family connections. Today, after earning accounting and MBA degrees, the former track star continues to make his mark at Nebraska Business.

“My mom, (Rebecca, ’84, actuarial science) grew up in Albion, Nebraska, and my dad, (Edward) ran track from 1982 to 1984,” said Ross. “My proudest moment was running my best time of 13.68 seconds in the 110 meter hurdles. That beat my dad’s best time of 13.83, which was the school record for 12 years.”

After graduation, Ross worked for the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. In 2014, he became assistant financial manager at the College of Business. Later, he was promoted to director of finance and budget. Read Full Story

Master’s Degree Leads to Super Bowl Ring
Experiences at the college and as a Husker Spirit Squad member prepared Dominque Edwards, '16, to successfully navigate her career.

Edwards Cultivates Spirit as Cheerleader, Finance Graduate

Dominque Edwards, ’16, experienced the effects of Husker Power firsthand. A finance graduate and former cheerleader from Omaha Central, she used her talents to uplift others while on the Husker Spirit Squad from 2012 to 2016.

“We made an impact on so many lives just by showing up. There was so much power in the uniform as people’s demeanors would change when they saw us,” said Edwards, the goddaughter of Johnny Rodgers, former Husker and Heisman Trophy winner. She added that Rodgers’ and her father’s passion for football “absolutely ignited that fire in me to cheer, so I could get close to the action.”

Her proudest memories include running the N flag onto the field at Memorial Stadium every home game her senior year.
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RESEARCH STORIES

Research Prepares for Pandemic Decision-Making

Schools close, elderly populations isolate and businesses shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Özgür Araz, associate professor of supply chain management and analytics and Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute Faculty Fellow at Nebraska Business, believes decisions imposed to change the way we live in the short-term stem from critical research analysis now in the hands of government and health care providers.

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ozgur
Zhu Research Examines Monetary Supply Chain
COVID-19 Creates Coin Shortage In U.S.

Everyone knows the frustration of not having the right change to complete a purchase. Dr. Yunxia (Peter) Zhu, assistant professor of supply chain management and analytics, believes his research exploring the supply chain of currency may contain solutions to a situation made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Peter Zhu
Job Stress and Productivity

Stress can actually improve employee performance, but consistency is key. Research conducted by Dr. Troy Smith, assistant professor of management, and his colleagues studied on-the-job stress among employees at restaurants and a university.

“Some level of stress can be good. Others are more conflicting and get in the way of accomplishing goals. That type of stress is difficult and makes it very challenging to perform at a high level.”

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Troy Smith
thu
MBA Bolsters Pham's Leadership in Military

MBA@Nebraska student Thu Pham emerged as an early contributor to the U.S. Space Force when it became the sixth branch of the military in December 2019. Pham, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, worked and trained others on missile warning Space-Based Infrared Systems while completing her online MBA.

“The military always pushes you to be a better leader,” said Pham, who minored in merchandising as a chemistry major but wanted to grow as a manager. “An organizational behavior class I took in the MBA@Nebraska program helped me process how to understand and communicate better with people I’m leading. It showed me how to fix an organizational culture from the bottom up. It starts with little things like understanding the strengths of your team and how each can be utilized.”

Pham received a military acquisition code to go into program management after being in ROTC at Oregon State University. They wanted her to first complete an operational experience in space, which sent her to Buckley Air Force Base in Denver.

“I operated the satellites for missile warning systems and then moved into training newcomers. I’ve been able to apply my organizational behavior classes on how to lead and manage people,” said Pham, who eventually transferred to Los Angeles Air Force Base, which houses and supports the headquarters of the U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center.

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World-Class Actuarial Science Campaign Raises Bar

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Actuarial Science endowment campaign looked to “raise the bar to world class” in 2016. Donations from alumni and friends now impact students, teaching and research to uplift the Nebraska Actuarial Science program designated as a Center of Excellence by the Society of Actuaries.

“We wanted to double our endowment to provide ongoing annual student and faculty support,” said Sue Vagts, director of the Actuarial Science program. “Over the past 12 years, our students and faculty doubled but our funding remained the same.”

The endowment increased to four million dollars from two, which allows $40,000 in annual funding for student scholarships, tutoring, study materials, travel and related expenses. It also provides an additional $40,000 each year for faculty research, database subscriptions, stipends, research assistants and other needs.

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Research Ranking Application Created

Dr. Yijia Lin, N. Z. Snell Life Insurance Professor, contemplated how to raise the awareness of research excellence in actuarial science for years. By bringing together a team of faculty, staff, students and business partners, she led the creation of the first web application to compile, rank and publish global research rankings for actuarial science, risk management and insurance.

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Mary

Why I Give Back

by Mary Lindgren

Although Mary Lindgren grew up in Iowa, she lived with an ever-present spirit of Nebraska through her father, H.L. Whitaker, ’31, of Wahoo, Nebraska. Their bond and a fervent family commitment to education, led Lindgren and her husband, Doug, to create a scholarship endowment for business students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

My father, H.L. Whitaker, ’31, grew up in Wahoo and attended Nebraska, joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity and graduated with a degree in business administration. In 1935, he married my mother, Alice, and moved to Iowa in the Fort Dodge area.

During the 1930s, he worked for Nebraska and Iowa businesses and established connections. He became chief of accounting and warehouse manager for two large regional freight companies. Later, as business manager of the Fort Dodge Community School District, he was active in the state and national school board associations.

Drafted in 1943 at age 35, my dad served in the Army overseas in Britain, France and Belgium during World War II. In 1944, he attended Adjutant General School in the states. Then he was assigned to the Detroit Ordnance District where he worked with supplier contracts for Patton tanks at the Fisher Body Plant in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

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Thank You Donors!

Donor List Support
Mary

The Nebraska Business
Development Team

Thank you to all our generous donors. If you would like to support the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, contact:

Find Nebraska Business on Social Media

25.2%

Increase In
Undergraduate
Enrollment

2011-2020

45.8%

Increase In
GRADUATE ENROLLMENT

2011-2020

1.3%

INCREASE IN FIRST-GENERATION DOMESTIC UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

2019-2020

4,380

Students

Fall 2020

#34

PUBLIC UNDERGRADUATE
Business Programs

U.S. News & World Report 2020

35%

INCREASE IN DOMESTIC
MINORITY STUDENTS OVER
LAST FIVE YEARS

2015-2020

38,951

ALUMNI NETWORK

Including Warren Buffett, '51

6

YEARS NAMED A TOP UNIVERSITY FOR PROFESSIONAL SALES EDUCATION

Sales Education Foundation

#9

ONLINE FULL-TIME MBA
PROGRAM IN THE U.S.

Poets&Quants, 2020

$1 Million+

IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED EACH YEAR

In addition to university scholarships

12

YEARS NAMED CFA INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION PROGRAM

Training students to manage investments

17

NAMED ONE OF 17 U.S. CENTERS
OF ACTUARIAL EXCELLENCE

Society of Actuaries

200+

ATTENDEES AT SMALL
BUSINESS WORKSHOPS

Center for Entrepreneurship

25+

BUSINESS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE & CONNECT

110+

HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS

1,200+

PROFESSIONALS EARN CONTINUING EDUCATION AT
TAX INSTITUTE

20+

LINCOLN WORKPLACES
IMPROVED BY STUDENTS CONSULTING

Conducted by Clifton Builders

1,000+

WEBINAR ATTENDEES ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

Bureau of Business Research

100%

CAMERAS INSTALLED IN ALL CLASSROOMS WHEN THE BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED

Due to generous donors

1

AUDITORIUM DESIGNED FOR DISTANCE LEARNING

Due to generous donors